The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-02

the injuries mortal. The lad was
taken to the Penn Hospital"
DIR. Avery was soon beside the cot
on which the nlisshapen little body
was laid.
Willy looked up, trying to smile.
ut is not so bad as they say, it is ? |
can't die now! 1 have too much to
do"
"What have you to do, my boy?
Let me be your friend; let me help
you, if / cam"
81 thought you would come. may
be. haven't anybody to come. The
boys are good friends, but they
couldn't do anythidg now."
II have come, you see. Tell me
what | can do, my boy"
The lad waited until the nurse had
passed his cot, and then whispered
ITS Lefty, sir. She is my sister.
i have her out with farmers wife
f.near. Media She goes t0seifool there.
1t takes all l can make to pay her
board and buy her clothes. like to
see her look NICE" His mind began
to wander, and he began to mutter
at intervals.
"If could start the stall-the shop
"a carriage for Lefty"
The doctor was forced to leave
him. When he came back in the
afternoon, he was rational, and when
the doctor wished 10 go for his sister,
he said:
"No, don't bring Lefty here. She
mustn't know how poor l am, When
[ go out on Sundays to see her l
have ms good suit on. She calls me
swell Yes, she does" laughing
but with tears IN his eyes. Il went
once with some papers to Quaker,
boarding-school for girls near town,
sir. They were such lovely young
ladies, L always thought I'd send
Lefty there when L could get the
money. But now"
DR.. Avery found out his story by
degrees. He and Lefty were the chill.
dren of a planter near Savannah.
Their mother was in Philadelphia
during the war. Her husband was
killed, her slaves and property were
gne. She struggled fer years, teach
ing and sewing, to support them, and
at last died, leaving Willie in charge
Of his little sister.
"And your name?"
MY father was Charles Gilbert"
DR., Avery drew his breath quickly
81 knew Charles Gilbert in Savan.
nah long ago. No wonder your voice
seemed familiar, and that / was
drawn to you so strongly. But you
are my friend for your own sake, my
boy"
That evening DR.. Avery sent a
long dispatch to a lawyer in Savan-
nah, where he had once lived and
still had business interests. He took
two of the principal surgeons in the
city to examine Willy.
When they had gone out for con.
sultation the boy lay, holding his
hand, watching the door. breathing
quickly and hard.
"Do you want to live, Willie, You
have had a hard life my child"
"Oh, no. no! l did not think it
hard / have so much to do for
Lefty"
"Had you never any plans for
yourself?"
The boy turned his gray eyes
thoughtfulIy on me. They filled
with slow tears,
81 used to thinK--if 1 could be a
schoIar-a gentleman, like my father
but"
"If you do not live, my boy" said
his friend, trying to reconcile him to
death, "GOd will take care of you.
This poor body will not be against
you any longer"
at is not against me here ~ said
Willy vekemently. at is not me.
Everybody knows that. If God will
only give me the chance to do some
thing in the world, the hody won't
stand in the way" He muttered
J after awhile again, at is not me-"
DR.. Avery was called out to heal
the verdict of the surgeons. When
he came back Willy gave one look
and sank back. covering his face.
"Tnere is still a chance, my boy,
though hut slight one. think it
best TO tell you the exact truth.
Morning will decide. Would it COM
fort you to have Lefty with you?
haye brought her to town."
"Yes yes 1t dosen't matter now
that she knows that | am poor lit
tie newsboy."
Lefty was a sturdy, red-cheeked
81